Young ICT innovators fro Uganda will now benefit highly from Uganda's Science fund that has for ages been perceived as a fund be restricted to agro, bio and chemical science innovations.
This was said by Hon Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of ICT and National Guidance at the inaugural stakeholders' dialogue held on July 06, 2017, Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.
The meeting was spearheaded by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance as one of the ways to improve and implement effective communication in Government.
"H.E the President has been consistently advocating for science innovations and also prioritized resources in the budget to support these innovations like the Kiira vehicle, Banana project among others. Many of you however looked at this science innovation fund as to be restricted to agro, bio and chemical science innovations. The good news I have today for you ICT innovators is that; government has allowed to as well cover and support ICT innovations under this science fund with all the necessary capacity in terms of incubating projects and patent protection among others," said Mr. Tumwebaze.
He added that what was therefore required urgently from the ICT innovators of the various hubs, academic institutions and the ministry of ICT is to agree on the criteria framework about the standards and potential of the innovations to be supported.
"For any innovation to be supported it must demonstrate capacity to grow jobs and provide innovative solutions to the implementation of e-government. After further consultations, I will put up a committee/taskforce composed of experts to advise on the framework of this support," he added.
The Science Innovations Fund was adopted by the Government of Uganda as part of its strategy to build the country's scientific and technological capacity to facilitate its development efforts on a sustainable basis. It is a UGX 25 billion five-year project financed by the Government of and implemented by Faculty of Technology through ten projects.
Hon. Tumwebaze also appealed to telecoms and other ICT firms to always support locally generated innovations or what is commonly referred to as local content. "Do not outsource what can be sourced internally," he said.
Touching on the issue of sharing infrastructure, Mr. Tumwabaze asked ICT experts dealing in the business of internet provision and to the telecom operators to think and discuss about sharing internet infrastructure as some known countries are doing for the sake of reducing heavy investment costs that finally end up being pushed to the consumer.
"When we develop ICT infrastructure at a high cost, efforts to make IT services universal and affordable get inhibited," he added.
On provision of affordable internet the Minister of ICT applauded the investment in the NBI terming it as a wise one since it managed to bring down the cost of internet from USD 1,200 to USD 300 per Mbps per month. This however needed to further be pushed down, and increase its penetration across the country so as to enable young ICT innovators to grow their businesses.
"Internet also must be fully subsidized for Universities and Research Institutions. Global studies show that the impact of an increase of 10% internet penetration results into an increase in the GDP ranging from 0.25%- 1.38%. Internet is as a good enabler to ICT innovators and young IT graduates getting jobs, and improving service delivery as electricity is to manufacturers. With the digital revolution, most of the big infrastructure projects we are undertaking as a Country like SGR, Oil pipeline, Industrial Parks etc., will require internet backbone installations. Lowering the cost of internet therefore, will not only help ICT innovations but also spur investment growth of e-services (e.g. mobile money, e-wallet, pay way and their attendant functions) and grow jobs," he added.
Through the outcome of the forum Uganda seeks to work towards joining the top six ICT leaders who are: Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Tunisia and Egypt. as per United Nations e-Government Survey. The event was attended by executives from the ICT agencies, media owners, different ICT associations as well as private sector partners. The dialogue provided a platform for the Minister of ICT and National Guidance Hon. Frank Tumwebaze to meet and address pertinent issues affecting the ICT Industry.
In a bid to improve effectiveness of communication across Government, Ministries Agencies and Departments (MDAs) were tasked to all have fully functional and updated websites.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Lilian Mutegi
Quelle/Source: AllAfrica, 08.07.2016
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